ABSTRACT

Increasingly students from the affluent countries are going abroad as part of their "educational experience." Although students see these experiences as invaluable and believe that they have learned a lot, the anthropological literature suggests the opposite; that travel abroad has a greater impact on the hosts than on the visitors and that indeed travel abroad, far from leading to students becoming more open-minded or learning about the other, can reinforce their stereotypes. The standards in anthropology teach humility and the ability to learn from those in the host country. This short book can be read pre-departure and while abroad to provide the reader the practical and philosophical tools needed to create an enriched and mind-broadening experience.

chapter |15 pages

Introduction

part One|78 pages

Disorientation

chapter Chapter One|14 pages

That Beast Called the Anthropological Perspective

chapter Chapter Two|16 pages

Why We Go Abroad

chapter Chapter Three|15 pages

To See Ourselves

chapter Chapter Four|18 pages

Traveling Rituals and Personal Transformation

chapter Chapter Five|13 pages

How to Read a Travel Brochure

part Two|90 pages

The Nitty-Gritty of Travel

chapter Chapter Six|16 pages

Planning the Trip

Some Issues for Consideration

chapter Chapter Seven|15 pages

Traveling Light (and a Rant about Electronic Technology)

chapter Chapter Eight|25 pages

Schmoozing with Locals

chapter Chapter Nine|14 pages

Health and Safety Issues

chapter Chapter Ten|12 pages

On Developing the Ability to Tell Good Stories

chapter |6 pages

Conclusion